Levels Of Esters Research Articles

Quantitative determination of plasma cholesteryl ester levels in Japanese preadolescents from the Hokkaido study using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Cholesteryl esters (CE) are sterols comprising various fatty acyl chains attached to a cholesterol hydroxyl moiety. CEs are often considered plasma biomarkers of liver function; however, their absolute concentrations in the plasma of Japanese preadolescents have not been well explored. This study aimed to determine the plasma CE levels in Japanese preadolescents of different sexes, ages, and body weights living in Hokkaido, Japan using targeted liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The analysis was performed on the non-fasting plasma of preadolescents aged 9–12 years (n = 339 healthy volunteers; 178 boys and 161 girls) from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. The analysis results showed that the total CE levels in boys and girls were 871 ± 153 and 862 ± 96 pmol/μL, respectively. CE 18:2 (41 ± 2.9 %) was found to be the most abundant species followed by CE 18:1 (16 ± 1.5 %) and CE 16:0 (13 ± 1.1 %). The ω-3 fatty acid-containing CEs such as CE 18:3 and CE 20:5 were significantly lower in girls than in boys. Despite the different ages, CEs were tightly regulated in the plasma of children’s, and the total CEs ranged between 844 and 906 pmol/μL in boys and 824 and 875 pmol/μL in girls. The participants were further classified into three groups based on their body mass index underweight (n = 237), normal weight (n = 94), and overweight (n = 8). Most of the quantified CEs were accumulated in the overweight group. Interestingly, CE 18:3 was significantly upregulated in the overweight group compared to that in the normal range, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.73, suggesting that it could be a possible marker for obesity. This study marks the initial investigation of absolute CE levels in the plasma of children and can help elucidate the relationship between CEs and childhood obesity.

Delta-6 desaturase FADS2 is a tumor-promoting factor in cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a fatal disease with limited therapeutic options. We screened genes required for cholangiocarcinoma tumorigenicity and identified FADS2, a delta-6 desaturase. FADS2 depletion reduced invivo tumorigenicity and cell proliferation. In clinical samples, FADS2 was expressed in cancer cells but not in stromal cells. FADS2 inhibition also reduced the migration and sphere-forming ability of cells and increased apoptotic cell death and ferroptosis markers. Lipidome assay revealed that triglyceride and cholesterol ester levels were decreased in FADS2-knockdown cells. The oxygen consumption ratio was also decreased in FADS2-depleted cells. These data indicate that FADS2 depletion causes a reduction in lipid levels, resulting in decrease of energy production and attenuation of cancer cell malignancy.

Aberrant lipid accumulation and retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction in PRCD-deficient mice

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRCD) is an integral membrane protein found in photoreceptor outer segment (OS) disc membranes and its function remains unknown. Mutations in Prcd are implicated in Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in humans and multiple dog breeds. PRCD-deficient models exhibit decreased levels of cholesterol in the plasma. However, potential changes in the retinal cholesterol remain unexplored. In addition, impaired phagocytosis observed in these animal models points to potential deficits in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Here, using a Prcd−/− murine model we investigated the alterations in the retinal cholesterol levels and impairments in the structural and functional integrity of the RPE. Lipidomic and immunohistochemical analyses show a 5-fold increase in the levels of cholesteryl esters (C.Es) and lipid deposits in the PRCD-deficient retina, respectively, indicating alterations in total retinal cholesterol. Furthermore, the RPE of Prcd−/− mice exhibit a 1.7-fold increase in the expression of lipid transporter gene ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (Abca1). Longitudinal fundus and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) examinations showed focal lesions and RPE hyperreflectivity. Strikingly, the RPE of Prcd−/− mice exhibited age-related pathological features such as lipofuscin accumulation, Bruch's membrane (BrM) deposits and drusenoid focal deposits, mirroring an Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)-like phenotype. We propose that the extensive lipofuscin accumulation likely impairs lysosomal function, leading to the defective phagocytosis observed in Prcd−/− mice. Our findings support the dysregulation of retinal cholesterol homeostasis in the absence of PRCD. Further, we demonstrate that progressive photoreceptor degeneration in Prcd−/− mice is accompanied by progressive structural and functional deficits in the RPE, which likely exacerbates vision loss over time.

A high-cholesterol zebrafish diet promotes hypercholesterolemia and fasting-associated liver steatosis

Zebrafish are an ideal model organism to study lipid metabolism and to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of human lipid-associated disorders. Unlike murine models, to which various standardized high lipid diets such as a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) are available, there has yet to be a uniformly adopted zebrafish HCD protocol. In this study, we have developed an improved HCD protocol and thoroughly tested its impact on zebrafish lipid deposition and lipoprotein regulation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The diet stability, reproducibility, and fish palatability were also validated. Fish fed HCD developed hypercholesterolemia as indicated by significantly elevated ApoB-containing lipoproteins (ApoB-LPs) and increased plasma levels of cholesterol and cholesterol esters. Feeding of the HCD to larvae for 8 days produced hepatic steatosis that became more stable and sever after 1 day of fasting and was associated with an opaque liver phenotype (dark under transmitted light). Unlike larvae, adult fish fed HCD for 14 days followed by a 3-day fast did not develop a stable fatty liver phenotype, though the fish had higher ApoB-LP levels in plasma and an upregulated lipogenesis gene fasn in adipose tissue. In conclusion, our HCD zebrafish protocol represents an effective and reliable approach for studying the temporal characteristics of the physiological and biochemical responses to high levels of dietary cholesterol and provides insights into the mechanisms that may underlie fatty liver disease.

Sniffing the wine differences: The role of Starmerella bacillaris biofilm-detached cells

This study investigated the impact of 10 strains of Starmerella bacillaris, co-inoculated as planktonic or biofilm-detached cells with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on the volatilome of a red wine. The wines produced with St. bacillaris biofilm-detached cells exhibited a greater concentration of glycerol and a lower quantity of ethanol than the other wines. Furthermore, these wines exhibited elevated levels of higher alcohols, organic acids, esters, terpenes, and norisoprenoids. Based on the odor activity value and relative odor contribution, isoamyl acetate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl isobutanoate, and methyl decanoate were the main aroma components of wines made with planktonic cells. The main compounds characterizing the wines obtained with biofilm-detached cells were: phenethyl alcohol, β-damascenone, citronellol, β-ionone, and nerol. The sensory analysis revealed that the wines produced with biofilm-detached cells had higher scores for mouth-feel, spicy, floral, and raspberry notes than the others. The present study provides evidence that St. bacillaris biofilm-detached cells released specific volatile compounds in red wines.

The Potential Significance of Microwave-Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis for Valuable Bio-Products Driven from Albizia Tree

The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of Na2CO3 and ZSM-5 as catalysts in the microwave pyrolysis of Albizia branches. An evaluation was conducted to determine the influence of power applied, experimental time, particle size, and catalysis type and ratio on the quality and quantity of pyrolysis products. Established methods such as GC-MS, FTIR, HHV, SEM, EDX, and BET were used to characterize the properties of bio-oil and biochar produced. The results demonstrated that using both catalyst types led to a substantial enhancement in biogas production. The improvement ranged from 5% to 41% with Na2CO3 and reached 45% with ZSM-5. At a lower power level of 300 W, the bio-oil yield augmented from 28% to 40% and 53% when using ZSM-5 and Na2CO3, respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the utilizing of catalysts enhanced the levels of aromatic compounds, esters, and alcohols in bio-oil, along with an increase in the higher heating value (HHV) from 19.5 MJ/kg to 22 MJ/kg and 24.2 MJ/kg using Na2CO3 and ZSM-5, respectively. Moreover, the biochar's surface area and pore volume experienced a considerable rise, going from 0.5512 m2/g and 0.00011 cm3/g to a higher value of 115.2073 m2/g and 0.0774 cm3/g when treated with Na2CO3. The data indicated that both catalyst types enhanced the generation of CH4, and CO2 was lower with ZSM-5. The utilization of catalysts improves the quality of the biofuel produced and promotes the efficiency of the process in terms of energy consumption and processing time.

Impact of sequential inoculation timing on the quality of wine fermented by indigenous Lachancea thermotolerans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Lack of acidity in wine is one of the main challenges in warm wine-producing regions. The non-Saccharomyces yeast, Lachancea thermotolerans (LT), is well known for its great potential in wine acidification through the production of lactic acid. In this study, an indigenous LT strain was sequentially inoculated with S. cerevisiae (SC). The influence of the timing of SC inoculation on wine quality was extensively studied. Inoculating SC 72 h after the inoculation of LT delayed the peak of fermentation rate, but had no significant influence on the duration of fermentation. The late inoculation (72 h) of SC effectively increased the production of lactic acid, which consequently increased the total wine acidity and decreased the pH. Higher levels of esters were also achieved by the late inoculation. Pilot-scale fermentations were carried out with both Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to verify the effect of late inoculation. Lactic acid produced in sequential fermentation was 2.73 g/L for Chardonnay wine and 5.35 g/L for Cabernet Sauvignon wine, and the production of ethyl esters was also enhanced. Overall, the results demonstrated that the late inoculation of SC in sequential fermentation with LT improved wine quality by increasing acidity and producing more balanced and aromatic wines.

Upcycling of waste disposable medical masks to high value-added gasoline fuel and surfactants products by sub/supercritical water degradation and partial oxidation

The amount of waste disposable medical masks (DMMs) and the potential environmental risk increased significantly due to the huge demand of disposable medical surgical masks. In this study, two effective and environmentally friendly processes, supercritical water degradation (SCWD) and subcritical water partial oxidation (SubCWPO), were proposed for the upcycling of DMMs. The optimal conditions for the SCWD process (conversion ratio>98 %) were 410 ℃, 15 min, and 1:5 g/mL. The oil products obtained from the SCWD process were mainly small molecule hydrocarbons (C7-C12) with a content of 86 % and could be recycled as fuel feedstock for gasoline. Alkyl radicals in the SCWD reaction formed double bonds and ring structures through hydrogen capture reactions, β-scission, and dehydrogenation reactions, and aromatic hydrocarbons were formed by olefin cyclization and cycloalkane dehydrogenation. The introduction of an oxidant (H2O2) to the reaction system could significantly reduce the reaction temperature and shorten the reaction time. At 350 ℃, 15 min, 1:20 g/mL, V(H2O2): V (H2O) of 1:1, the conversion ratio of the SubCWPO process was 88 %, which was higher than that of the SCWD process at 400 ℃ (71.49 %). Oil products produced from the SubCWPO process were rich in alcohols and esters, which could be used as raw materials for nonionic surfactant of polyol and fatty acid ester. The abundant hydroxyl radical in the SubCWPO system trapped hydrogen atoms on PP and reacted with the resulting alkyl radical to form alkanols, which was oxidized to form acids. The esterification of acids and alkanols formed high level of esters. The SCWD and SubCWPO processes proposed in this study are believed to be promising strategies for DMMs degradation and the recovery of high value-added hydrocarbons.

Liposomes have a direct effect on multiple myeloma: a Mendelian randomization study.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant disease of plasma cells originating in the bone marrow, is influenced significantly by genetic factors. Although plasma liposomes have been linked to MM, the nature of their potential causal relationship remains to be elucidated. This study aims to explore this relationship using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Liposome-associated genetic instrumental variables (IVs) were identified from plasma lipidomics data of 7,174 Finnish individuals within a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) pooled database. A MM pooled dataset was sourced from a GWAS meta-analysis encompassing 150,797 individuals, including 598 MM patients and 218,194 controls. These IVs underwent MR analysis, adhering to strict criteria for correlation, independence, and the exclusion of confounders. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger method, weighted median (WM) method, and simple median were utilized for MR analysis assessment, alongside Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept, MR-Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-RESSO) method, and leave-one-out analysis for evaluating heterogeneity, multiplicity, and instrumental bias. The study identified 88 significant, independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as IVs for MR analysis, each with an F-statistic value above 10, indicating robustness against weak instrument bias. IVW analysis revealed associations between six plasma liposome components and MM risk (p < 0.05). Phosphatidylinositol (16:0_18:1) serum levels (odds ratio [OR] = 1.769, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.132-2.763, p = 0.012) and triacylglycerol (56:4) levels (p = 0.026, OR = 1.417, 95% CI: 1.042-1.926) were positively correlated with the risk of multiple myeloma development. Phosphatidylethanolamine (18:0_20:4) (p = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.621-0.916, OR = 0.754), phosphatidylcholine (18:2_20:4) (p = 0.004, OR = 0.680, 95% CI: 0.519-0.889), sterol ester (27:1/18:3) levels (p = 0.013, OR = 0.677, 95% CI: 0.498-0.922), and phosphatidylcholine (O-18:2_20:4) levels (OR = 0.710, 95% CI: 0.517-0.913, p = 0.033) were negatively associated with the risk of developing multiple myeloma. The Cochran's Q test did not detect statistical method heterogeneity, nor did the MR-RESSO test or the MR-Egger intercept detect horizontal pleiotropy; leave-one-out analyses confirmed the absence of bias from individual SNPs. Our findings suggest a complex relationship between plasma liposome components and MM risk. Elevated serum levels of triacylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol are positively associated with MM risk, while certain phospholipids and sterol esters offer a protective effect. This study provides valuable insights into the clinical relevance of liposomes in the pathology of multiple myeloma.

Effect of different inoculation strategies of mixed culture Saccharomyces cerevisiae/Oenococcus oeni on the aroma quality of Chardonnay wine

There has been growing interest in the use of mixed cultures comprised of Oenococcus oeni and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce wine with local style and typicality. This study has investigated the influence of the inoculation protocol of O. oeni on the fermentation kinetics and aromatic profile of Chardonnay wine. The one selected autochthonous O. oeni strain (ZX-1) inoculated at different stages of the alcoholic fermentation process successfully completed malolactic fermentation (MLF). Co-inoculum of S. cerevisiae and O. oeni enabled simultaneous alcoholic fermentation and MLF, leading to at least a 30 % reduction in the total fermentation time when compared to the sequential inoculation process, which was attributed to the lower ethanol stress. Meanwhile, co-inoculum stimulated the accumulation of volatile aroma compounds in Chardonnay wine. In particular, the mixed modality where the O. oeni strain ZX-1 was inoculated 48 h after S. cerevisiae allowed higher levels of terpenes, acetates, short-chain, and medium-chain fatty acid ethyl esters to be produced, which may result in the enhanced floral and fruity attributes of wine. Aroma reconstitution and omission models analysis revealed that the accumulation of linalool, geraniol, isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and ethyl caprylate during the mixed fermentation process enhanced the stone fruit, tropical fruit, and citrus aromas in Chardonnay wine. Therefore, the simultaneous fermentation of S. cerevisiae and autochthonous O. oeni ZX-1 has a positive effect on MLF and contributes to producing wines with distinctive style.

Raman-based machine-learning platform reveals unique metabolic differences between IDHmut and IDHwt glioma.

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue slides are routinely used in cancer diagnosis, clinical decision-making, and stored in biobanks, but their utilization in Raman spectroscopy-based studies has been limited due to the background coming from embedding media. Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy was used for molecular fingerprinting of FFPE tissue from 46 patient samples with known methylation subtypes. Spectra were used to construct tumor/non-tumor, IDH1WT/IDH1mut, and methylation-subtype classifiers. Support vector machine and random forest were used to identify the most discriminatory Raman frequencies. Stimulated Raman spectroscopy was used to validate the frequencies identified. Mass spectrometry of glioma cell lines and TCGA were used to validate the biological findings. Here, we develop APOLLO (rAman-based PathOLogy of maLignant gliOma)-a computational workflow that predicts different subtypes of glioma from spontaneous Raman spectra of FFPE tissue slides. Our novel APOLLO platform distinguishes tumors from nontumor tissue and identifies novel Raman peaks corresponding to DNA and proteins that are more intense in the tumor. APOLLO differentiates isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutant (IDH1mut) from wild-type (IDH1WT) tumors and identifies cholesterol ester levels to be highly abundant in IDHmut glioma. Moreover, APOLLO achieves high discriminative power between finer, clinically relevant glioma methylation subtypes, distinguishing between the CpG island hypermethylated phenotype (G-CIMP)-high and G-CIMP-low molecular phenotypes within the IDH1mut types. Our results demonstrate the potential of label-free Raman spectroscopy to classify glioma subtypes from FFPE slides and to extract meaningful biological information thus opening the door for future applications on these archived tissues in other cancers.

MiR-181d-5p ameliorates hypercholesterolemia by targeting PCSK9.

Hypercholesterolemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and lowering circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) can prevent and reduce cardiovascular events. MicroRNA-181d (miR-181d) can reduce the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol esters in cells. However, it is not known whether miR-181d-5p can lower levels of circulating LDL-C. Here, we generated two animal models of hypercholesterolemia to analyze the potential relationship between miR-181d-5p and LDL-C. In hypercholesterolemia model mice, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated liver-directed overexpression of miR-181d-5p decreased the serum levels of cholesterol and LDL-C and the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in the liver compared with control mice. Target Scan 8.0 indicated Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) to be a possible target gene of miR-181d-5p, which was confirmed by in vitro experiments. miR-181d-5p could directly interact with both the PCSK9 3'-UTR and promoter to inhibit PCSK9 translation and transcription. Furthermore, Dil-LDL uptake assays in PCSK9 knockdown Huh7 cells demonstrated that miR-181d-5p promotion of LDL-C absorption was dependent on PCSK9. Collectively, our findings show that miR-181d-5p targets the PCSK9 3'-UTR to inhibit PCSK9 expression and to reduce serum LDL-C. miR-181d-5p is therefore a new therapeutic target for the development of anti-hypercholesterolemia drugs.

Unexpected Behavior of a Maltose-Negative Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast: Higher Release of Polyfunctional Thiols from Glutathionylated Than from Cysteinylated S-Conjugates

At present, non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beers (NABLABs), in addition to their premature sensitivity to oxidation, still suffer from a lack of fruity fermentation aromas. Maltose/maltotriose-negative yeasts offer a highly attractive alternative for creating diversified pleasant aromas and/or eliminating off-flavors in NABLAB production. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. chevalieri, SafBrewTM LA-01 to release fruity polyfunctional thiols from glutathionylated (G-) and cysteinylated (Cys-) precursors. Interestingly, it proved to release free thiols from their glutathionylated S-conjugate much more efficiently (0.34% from G-3-sulfanylhexanol in 15 °P wort after seven days at 24 °C) than the best S. pastorianus strains previously screened (0.13% for lager yeast L7). On the other hand, despite its classification as a S. cerevisiae strain, it showed an inefficient use of cysteinylated precursors, although the release efficiency was slightly higher under NABLAB fermentation conditions (6 °P; 3 days at 20 °C). Under these conditions, as expected, LA-01 consumed only glucose, fructose, and saccharose (0.4% v/v ethanol formation) and produced only low levels of fermentation esters (1.6 mg/L in total) and dimethylsulfide (5 µg/L). The POF+ character of LA-01 also brought significant levels of 4-vinylguaiacol (810 μg/L), which could give to NABLABs the flavors of a white beer.

The Effect of Non-Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Torulaspora delbrueckii on the Aroma Composition of Munage Grape Base-Wine and the Mechanism of the Effect

To enhance comprehension of the impact of mixed fermentation using Torulaspora delbrueckii Bio-119667 (TD) on the aroma composition of Munage grape base-wine (MGBW), we analysed the aroma composition of MGBW using HS-SPME-GC-MS widely targeted metabolomics. The levels of volatile aroma components, including terpenes, higher alcohols, aldehydes, heterocyclic compounds, and esters, were significantly higher in MGBW produced by mixed fermentation compared to the pure Saccharomyces yeast control fermentation. The study found that the content of esters increased by 26.3% after mixed fermentation, indicating the contribution of TD to the formation of ester flavour components during the fermentation of MGBW. After analysing aroma activity values, we discovered that 49 out of 115 esters (25.5% of the total) significantly contributed to the aroma profile of MGBW (rOAV &gt; 1). Of these esters, 16 were identified as key aroma compounds (rOAV &gt; 1, VIP &gt; 1) produced by mixed fermentation with the participation of TD. This finding further supports the contribution of TD to the improvement of MGBW’s aroma composition. This study reveals the role of non-Saccharomyces yeast strain Torulaspora delbrueckii Bio-119667 in improving the aroma composition of MGBW produced by mixed culture fermentation and the biosynthetic pathways of key aroma components therein.

Two peptides LLRLTDL and GYALPCDCL inhibit foam cell formation through activating PPAR-γ/LXR-α signaling pathway in oxLDL-treated RAW264.7 macrophages.

Foam cell formation plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular diseases. Bioactive peptides generated from marine sources have been found to provide multifunctional health advantages. In the present study, we investigated the anti-atherosclerotic effects of LLRLTDL (Bu1) and GYALPCDCL (Bu2) peptides, isolated from ark shell protein hydrolysates by assessing their inhibitory effect on oxidized LDL (oxLDL)-induced foam cell formation. The two peptides showed a promising anti-atherosclerotic effect by inhibiting foam cell formation, which was evidenced by inhibiting lipid accumulation in oxLDL-treated RAW264.7 macrophages and oxLDL-treated primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Two peptides effectively reduced total cholesterol, free cholesterol, cholesterol ester, and triglyceride levels by upregulating cholesterol efflux and downregulating cholesterol influx. Expression of cholesterol influx-related proteins such as SR-A1 and CD36 were reduced, whereas cholesterol efflux-related proteins such as ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 were highly expressed. In addition, Bu1 and Bu2 peptides increased PPAR-γ and LXR-α expression. However, PPAR-γ siRNA transfection reversed the foam cell formation inhibitory activity of Bu1 and Bu2 peptides. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of Bu1 and Bu2 peptides on foam cell formation inhibition was observed with PPAR-γ agonist thiazolidinediones, indicating that PPAR-γ signaling pathway plays a key role in foam cell formation of macrophages. Beyond their impact on foam cell formation, Bu1 and Bu2 peptides demonstrated anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide and NF-κB nuclear activation. Taken together, these results suggest that Bu1 and Bu2 peptides may be useful for atherosclerosis and associated anti-inflammatory therapies.

53 Evaluation of the impact of high doses of phytase and marketing strategy on performance and carcass characteristics of late finishing pigs in commercial settings

Abstract As late finishing pigs reach market weight, space allowance per unit of body weight (BW) is reduced, which negatively impacts growth performance. Supplementing high doses of phytase results in the near complete destruction of phytic acid resulting in increased levels of lower inositol esters and inositol, which have been associated with a decreased stress response as well as having insulin-like effects. This study evaluated the impacts of high doses of phytase and two marketing strategies on growth performance and carcass characteristics of late finishing pigs. Pigs (n = 2,200; initial BW = 89.64 ± 3.08 kg) were randomly distributed to 96 pens using two commercial research barns, with 18 to 24 pigs per pen, balanced for gilts and barrows. Two phytase supplementation doses (super-dosing control of 2,250 FTU/kg and hyper-dosing at 4,500 FTU/kg) and two marketing strategies (Standard or Late) were combined to create 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. The first marketing event occurred at an average BW of 123.3 kg on d 22 for the Standard group and at 145.3 kg on d 44 for the Late group, marketing the heaviest 1 to 5 pigs per pen (13.2% of pigs). The second group (15.4% of pigs; BW of 147.3 and 144.8 kg for Standard and Late marketing) was marketed on d 50 and marketing of all remaining pigs occurred on d 63 for both treatments. Finisher diets contained 0.74% SID lysine, 0.60% Ca, and 0.37% available P. Regardless of the dose, phytase was given the same matrix values for nutrients and metabolizable energy. No interactions were observed between marketing strategy and phytase supplementation (P &amp;gt; 0.22), and no effect of phytase was observed (P &amp;gt; 0.09). Average BW of all pigs marketed was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.001) for the Late compared with the Standard marketing strategy (143.8 vs. 141.7 kg/d). Days to market was greater for Late marketing (59.7 vs. 56.8 d) as a result of the extra 22 d before the first marketing compared with the Standard strategy. Thus, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio were not impacted (P ≥ 0.486) by marketing treatments. Hot carcass weight (103.83 vs. 101.44 kg) and yield (78.10 vs. 77.73%) were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.001) for Late marketing. Fat cover was greater and percent lean was less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for the Late marketing treatment, but loin depth and marbling were not different (P &amp;gt; 0.09). All primal cuts were heavier (P &amp;lt; 0.001), resulting in a total primal weight of 89.44 and 87.54 kg (P &amp;lt; 0.001) for Late and Standard marketing, respectively. Results suggest that delaying the first marketing improved final BW, yield, and weight of primal cuts and that supplementing phytase above super-dosing levels in late finishing pigs did not improve growth performance or carcass value, regardless of marketing strategy.

Differences in metabolomic profiles between Black and White women in the U.S.: Analyses from two prospective cohorts.

There is growing interest in incorporating metabolomics into public health practice. However, Black women are under-represented in many metabolomics studies. If metabolomic profiles differ between Black and White women, this under-representation may exacerbate existing Black-White health disparities. We therefore aimed to estimate metabolomic differences between Black and White women in the U.S. We leveraged data from two prospective cohorts: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; n = 2077) and Women's Health Initiative (WHI; n = 2128). The WHI served as the replication cohort. Plasma metabolites (n = 334) were measured via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Observed metabolomic differences were estimated using linear regression and metabolite set enrichment analyses. Residual metabolomic differences in a hypothetical population in which the distributions of 14 risk factors were equalized across racial groups were estimated using inverse odds ratio weighting. In the NHS, Black-White differences were observed for most metabolites (75 metabolites with observed differences |0.50| standard deviations). Black women had lower average levels than White women for most metabolites (e.g., for N6, N6-dimethlylysine, mean Black-White difference = - 0.98 standard deviations; 95% CI: - 1.11, - 0.84). In metabolite set enrichment analyses, Black women had lower levels of triglycerides, phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylethanolamines, and organoheterocyclic compounds, but higher levels of phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens, phosphatidylcholine plasmalogens, cholesteryl esters, and carnitines. In a hypothetical population in which distributions of 14 risk factors were equalized, Black-White metabolomic differences persisted. Most results replicated in the WHI (88% of 272 metabolites available for replication). Substantial differences in metabolomic profiles exist between Black and White women. Future studies should prioritize racial representation.

The impact of advection on a Subarctic fjord food web dominated by the copepod Calanus finmarchicus

Fjord and shelf food webs are frequently supplemented by the advection of external biomass, which in high-latitude seas often comes in the form of lipid-rich copepods that can support a wide range of fish species, including Northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua). A seasonal match or mismatch at the lower trophic levels (phytoplankton and zooplankton) is central in determining how much energy and biomass is available for higher trophic levels (fish). Here, we quantify the inflow of the copepod Calanus finmarchicus into the Vestfjorden fjord system using high-resolution measurements of ocean currents and zooplankton (laser optical plankton counter). We evaluate a spatio-temporal match/mismatch between the phytoplankton bloom and Calanus and assess the input of advected copeods at the lower trophic level fjord and shelf food web based on an integrative approach employing stable isotope analyses (C, N), fatty acid trophic marker analyses, and biovolume spectrum analyses. Our results suggest two different sources of the Calanus population in the fjord/shelf system: one fraction overwintered locally and started ascending early to feed on the phytoplankton bloom that peaked around April 11. The other fraction had only recently (end of April) been and still was being advected from the oceanic overwintering habitats. Ca. 119 g C/s of Calanus were advected into the fjord, comparable to the biomass of Calanus advected into an Arctic fjord, and the mesozooplankton community was dominated by the copepod. The fjord food web was tightly coupled between the phytoplankton spring bloom, the local part of the Calanus population (trophic level 1.8–2.4) and cod larvae (high levels of wax esters). On the shelf, our results suggest that the impact of advected Calanus in the food web is at its starting point (low trophic level, large difference of δ13C of POM and Calanus). We highlight important factors that can contribute to the successful spawning of Northeast Arctic cod: an extended phytoplankton bloom that can support both locally and advected Calanus, which in turn can supply the essential nauplii prey for first-feeding cod larvae.

Determination of phthalate esters contents in different types of cheese produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia

Background: Phthalates’ esters are commonly incorporated into plastic materials to enhance their elasticity, thereby facilitating their migration into food items. Aims: To evaluate the levels of phthalate esters in six distinct varieties of locally produced cheese and sold in Saudi Arabia, at the time of purchase (t=0) and after storage for one and two months. Methods: Six types of local cheeses (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Feta, Cheeseburger slices, Haloumi and Kashkaval) were purchased and analyzed at three different intervals: at the time of purchase (t=0), after one month, and after two months of storage. The Phthalate ester concentrations were determined using indirect gas chromatography with results expressed in mg/kg of cheese. Results: Among the cheese samples analyzed, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was found to be the most prevalent. Halloumi cheese exhibited the highest average concentration of DEHP (4.29 ± 0.51 mg/kg) followed by Mozzarella cheese (3.65 ± 0.46 mg/kg). After two months of storage, more than two-thirds (n=13) of the samples exceeded the permissible limits content of DEHP content while one-third (n=6) and more than half (n=9) exceeded the limits for dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), respectively. The levels of phthalates in all cheese types increased with prolonged storage duration with Cheddar cheese exhibiting the highest rate of increase, exceeding fivefold (from 0.34 to 2.29 mg/kg). Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of phthalate in cheese samples, with concentrations varying depending on the cheese type, specific phthalate compound, and storage duration. Heightened consumer awareness regarding cheese storage practices is imperative to mitigate potential health risks associated with phthalate consumption. Keywords: Phthalate, cheese, chemical analysis, content, Saudi Arabia.

Recombinant human proteoglycan 4 lowers inflammation and atherosclerosis susceptibility in female low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice.

Recombinant human proteoglycan 4 (rhPRG4) is a macromolecular mucin-like glycoprotein that is classically studied as a lubricant within eyes and joints. Given that endogenously produced PRG4 is present within atherosclerotic lesions and genetic PRG4 deficiency increases atherosclerosis susceptibility in mice, in the current study we investigated the anti-atherogenic potential of chronic rhPRG4 treatment. Female low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice were fed an atherogenic Western-type diet for 6 weeks and injected three times per week intraperitoneally with 0.5mg rhPRG4 or PBS as control. Treatment with rhPRG4 was associated with a small decrease in plasma-free cholesterol levels, without a change in cholesteryl ester levels. A marked increase in the number of peritoneal foam cells was detected in response to the peritoneal rhPRG4 administration, which could be attributed to elevated peritoneal leukocyte MSR1 expression levels. However, rhPRG4-treated mice exhibited significantly smaller aortic root lesions of 278 ± 21 × 103μm2 compared with 339 ± 15 × 103μm2 in the aortic root of control mice. The overall decreased atherosclerosis susceptibility coincided with a shift in the monocyte and macrophage polarization states towards the patrolling and anti-inflammatory M2-like phenotypes, respectively. Furthermore, rhPRG4 treatment significantly reduced macrophage gene expression levels as well as plasma protein levels of the pro-inflammatory/pro-atherogenic cytokine TNF-alpha. In conclusion, we have shown that peritoneal administration and subsequent systemic exposure to rhPRG4 beneficially impacts the inflammatory state and reduces atherosclerosis susceptibility in mice. Our findings highlight that PRG4 is not only a lubricant but also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. KEY POINTS: Endogenously produced proteoglycan 4 is found in atherosclerotic lesions and its genetic deficiency in mice is associated with enhanced atherosclerosis susceptibility. In this study we investigated the anti-atherogenic potential of chronic treatment with recombinant human PRG4 in hypercholesterolaemic female low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. We show that recombinant human PRG4 stimulates macrophage foam cell formation, but also dampens the pro-inflammatory state of monocyte/macrophages, eventually leading to a significant reduction in plasma TNF-alpha levels and a lowered atherosclerosis susceptibility. Our findings highlight that peritoneal recombinant human PRG4 treatment can execute effects both locally and systemically and suggest that it will be of interest to study whether rhPRG4 treatment is also able to inhibit the progression and/or induce regression of previously established atherosclerotic lesions.